Perhaps ancient Greek dolichos specialists, then, were closer to power-walkers than they were to Kenenisa Bekele and his 61-second-per-lap pace. We just don't know how fast (or slow) they went.

According to BBC, Leonidas was probably the best runner in ancient Greece. He competed in four successive Olympiads in 164 B.C., 160 B.C., 156 B.C., and 152 B.C.

Ancient Greece laid the foundations of Western art. Traveling from its sun-splashed isles to the rugged mainland to bustling Athens, we trace the rise of Greek culture.

MarieLan NguyenWikimedia CommonsPascal Le SegretainGetty ImagesAn ancient Greek runner was bested by Michael Phelps. Michael Phelps is the most dominant athlete in Olympic history and we mean all ...